LIME CITY – A robust street repair program in Perrysburg Township has earned resident approval.
A five-year, 1.5-mill levy for road maintenance was approved by voters in 2018 and renewed in 2022.
Trustee Gary Britten said at the Aug. 7 meeting that since the streets levy passed, we’ve done nothing but gain voter confidence.
Trustees in May approved a contract with Gerken Paving Inc., Napoleon, for $884,507.
The list of roads includes Georgia Road, Creekside Court, Carolina Drive, Kensington Lane, Amberwood Drive, Atterbury Lane, Oak Meadow Drive, Basswood/Brookside Drive and Holiday Lane.
Also included were Simmons Road from Ohio 795 to Ford Road, Simmons Road at Woodmont Drive, and Reitz Road from Lime City Road to Tracy Road.
After doing the work, Gerken will adjust manhole covers to grade, and put in edge, center and stop lines.
Last year, the township spent a little more than $700,000 on paving.
Marvin Conner, road maintenance supervisor, told trustees that Oak Meadows West was added to the 2024 paving schedule along with some repairs to Georgia Road.
He gave an estimate of $50,000, but added he didn’t think it would be close to that amount.
“We’re taking an ambitious bite out of these roads,” said Trustee Robert Mack.
Trustees also held a lengthy discussion on trash pickup in the township.
Mack said he has received emails and calls from residents who want a single refuge collector.
“I don’t think it’s our place to say who picks up your trash,” he said.
Fifteen years ago, Allied Waste had the best price, at $54 per quarter for weekly trash and recycling pick up.
Republic Services bought Allied, and the cost is now over $800 for the same bins, he said, and added the township has an insurance claim against Republic for hydraulic fluid leakage.
It’s not a service provided by the township, but it’s something we need to keep our eyes on, Mack said.
Trusteed Joe Schaller said multiple providers go through a subdivision each week and the streets aren’t designed for that.
Britten said most subdivisions have an HOA, which should decide on one provider.
“They have to police it themselves,” he said.
Another option is to request a levy to do it ourselves, he said.
Also at the meeting, trustees:
• Heard a presentation by Katherine Clark of Bowling Green about the non-partisan Convention of States, which is lobbying to invoke Article V of the Constitution, which allows citizens and states to propose amendments to the Constitution.
“Washington spends more money than they actually have,” she said, and constitutionally it is the states that should reign in the government.
It will take 34 states to call the Convention of States; 19 have joined and she is district captain working to get Ohio to join.
The goal is to propose amendments that impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for members of Congress.
State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari has told her he needs to know he has the support of township trustees before he votes for this and state Sen. Theresa Gavarone is already in favor, Clark said.
“Ohioans overwhelmingly want this,” she said. “I believe it’s overdue.”
After the meeting, Mack said “it’s something that we’re going to study a little more carefully.”
“In theory, I’m not opposed to it at all,” he said. “It’s wise that citizens do rise up and say enough is enough.”
• Approve a school resource officer contract with Penta Career Center for the 2024-25 school year. The contract stipulates the township will have two SROs to cover the Penta campus daily
• Learned from police Chief Matt Gazarek that Clayton Ringle and K-9 Dyxo have passed all necessary certifications.
Gazarek also shared details of a pursuit on July 30 of an organized retail theft ring. The pursuit on the Ohio Turnpike ended in Fremont with four individuals taken into custody and $5,000 in stolen goods recovered.
He also reported attending a session in Rossford on BRINC drones. The drones would have a base station and could automatically launch when a 911 call comes in. They could hover over an area within a 3-mile radius before an officer takes over manual control.
The drones are made in Seattle and that is where demonstrations occurs, he said.
The cost is $150,000 per year for the drones and radar, he said.
• Purchased a new NordicTrack treadmill for the emergency services’ workout gym. The $3,500 cost will be split between the police and fire department.
• Scheduled an open house for Oct. 12 and budgeted $5,000 for expenses.
